So this fall my husband and I will be visiting Europe for the first time. One of our stops is Prague. We had planned to fly from Prague to Munich, rent a car and spend a few days in different places (Fussen, Black Forest, Rothenburg ob der Tauber) and then fly to Paris from Munich.
However, the flight from Prague to Munich is pricey as well as Munich to Paris. I have found an alternative that seems smart (but could be completely stupid). I had thought of an overnight train from Prague to Munich, but now realize there's no such thing. I did look at a bus, which is cheap, but I'm still traveling from point to point all day and I don't want to waste a day stopping at different check points to change up transportation.
My thought is this: Rent the car in Prague, travel to all the German cities at our own leisure, drive back to Prague, fly from Prague to Paris (only a $30 flight). I do know gas is expensive - already calculated that. I know rental companies don't like you crossing borders - already contacted them about it.
What I don't know is what kind of border/customs issues will I run into? Its this a terrible idea? Is this even a remotely smart idea?
Thoughts, suggestions and criticism are all welcome...
Posted by
Minneapolis
1216 posts
Hi Jamie. There is generally no problem taking a rental car into different countries, especially if you drop the car in the same country where you rented. Last time in Europe we rented in Switzerland, drove to Austria, Germany, Czech Republic, then back thru Austria and Germany to Switzerland, and it worked great. Crossing into a new country in Europe is pretty much the same as crossing into a new state in the US - just a sign saying 'welcome to xxxx'. One difference is that some countries (Austria, Czech Rep, Switzerland) require a windshield sticker to drive on the freeways; if so, just stop near the border and buy the sticker. So if renting a car sounds good to you, go for it; you don't even have to drop in the same city where you picked it up, just in the same country. One thing you may want to consider is taking a train or bus from Prague to Germany and renting your car there. Then you could drop somewhere else in Germany to avoid backtracking to Czech Rep. Enjoy your trip!
Posted by
Seattle
4637 posts
As Bob suggests you can go to Germany by public transport and then rent a car unless you want to see some Czech countryside, too and of course if you wouldn't be able to find some cheap airfare to Paris from Germany because for airfare of 30 bucks I would drive back to Prague too and to avoid backtracking I would drive different way on the way back.
Posted by
OP
North Carolina, US
88 posts
You guys are awesome! I'm really nervous about this kind of stuff because I know nothing about it and once I book it we're stuck!
As far as the sticker for Czech, if I'm renting a car in Prague, most likely they would have it already?
Also, I've heard about places in Germany that require a green sticker (name?) to drive through certain areas because of emissions. Is that true?
I've heard so many mixed reviews from people about crossing the border. Some people act like you can't do it except through public transit and others say you can, you'll just get stopped and inspected.
I'm really just trying to find the smartest route with time, money, and hassle. I think this might be it, but needed confirmation.
Also, I would head back to Prague via Rothenburg ob der Tauber, so it would be mostly new scenery all the way around.
Posted by
Seattle
4637 posts
Car rented in Czech R. will have sticker for Czech freeways. There is no border check between C.R. and Germany. It's like driving in the US from one state to another. It is unlikely that police randomly stops cars because of illegal immigration or they are looking for somebody, sobriety test, etc. You show them passport, IDP, drivers license, rental car papers. But as I say it is not likely that you would be stopped.
Posted by
Minneapolis
1216 posts
"I've heard so many mixed reviews from people about crossing the border. Some people act like you can't do it except through public transit and others say you can, you'll just get stopped and inspected."
Jamie - I suggest you stop getting advice from these people; don't know where they are getting their info, but it is not correct. As Ilja and I have mentioned, the borders between Germany, Austria, and Czech Republic are wide open / a non-event. Enjoy your trip!